Rotating bath bar and ceiling glass fixture display carousel system

ABSTRACT

A rotating bath bar and ceiling glass fixture display system including a carousel having a main body portion having an upper surface and an underside for receiving a plurality of glass fixture on upper surface, a main body portion rotating means is mounted to the underside of the main body portion whereby the main body portion rotates about the rotating means. A plurality of the glass fixtures are placed on the main body portion for display.

RELATIONSHIP TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of Application Ser. No. 08/859,332, filed May 7, 2001, now pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to product displays and, more particularly, to a rotating bath bar and ceiling glass fixture display carousel.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Current display methods for bath bar and ceiling glass fixtures include stacking the fixtures on top of one another and then placing them on a shelf in a store or the like. In such displays, the fixture is traditionally stacked on a shelf and additional stock of the same fixture is stacked on the shelf behind the first item. In warehouse or mass merchant types of retail establishments, dust and debris collect on the shelves and on the products which causes damage to the product and requires additional maintenance.

[0006] Problems inherent with these traditional methods of displaying such fixtures include the fact that, first, the fixtures take up a lot of valuable shelf space. When fixtures are stacked in the traditional manner on a shelf, only a product of the same item is stacked behind the front facing one which takes up valuable space and only allows for one fixture style to be presented to the customer. This limits the number of fixtures that can be presented to the customer by the retailer.

[0007] Second, where a retailer has deep shelving, it is very difficult for store personnel to bring stock from the back of the shelves forward for presentation.

[0008] Third, traditional methods for displaying fixtures utilize a flat surface which gathers dust and debris quickly, thus requiring substantial effort by store personnel to frequently dust and remove such debris to maintain a clean presentation to the customer and prevent damage to the product.

[0009] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,819 to Klein, there is shown a display stand for lamp shades. However, this display is a self-standing display which does not accommodate itself to a retailer's existing shelving. It is relatively expensive and the shades are mounted on posts which might damage the same. The posts allow only a certain amount and size of shades to be placed on the display.

[0010] There is this need for a type of display unit that will allow the customer to easily select a bath bar or ceiling fan glass fixture and will not take up excessive amounts of valuable space in the retail establishment nor require additional maintenance from store personnel. Such a unit should be usable on the retailer's pre-existing shelving or free-standing. It should be able to accommodate fixtures of differing sizes.

INVENTION SUMMARY

[0011] It is an object of this invention to provide a rotating glass fixture carousel system for product display.

[0012] It is further the object of this invention to provide such a carousel system which does not take up an excessive amount of the retail establishment's pre-existing display space.

[0013] It is another object to provide the retailer with the opportunity to maximize the glass fixture selection to the customer by providing a larger selection of fixtures within the same amount of space.

[0014] It is yet another object to reduce the amount of maintenance necessary to display such fixtures.

[0015] These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a rotating glass fixture carousel for product display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single carousel system in accordance with the teachings of the invention disposed on the shelf of a rack;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carousel system alone of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a view through lines 2-2 of FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carousel system of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of glass fixtures disposed thereon;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the carousel system of FIG. 4;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention showing a plurality of interconnected carousel systems having shades disposed thereon;

[0022]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the system of FIG. 6;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective shown in the view of another type of carousel system in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

[0024]FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a shrink-wrapped single glass fixture; and

[0025]FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a single packaged glass fixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a conventional store display shelf 10 is shown on a rack 11. A glass fixture carousel system 12 is mounted thereon in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

[0027] Carousel system 12 includes a main body portion 200 having an upper surface 201 comprising of a generally circular peripheral outer rim 13 (see also FIG. 2) and a plurality of ribs 15 interconnecting rib 13 at the central hub 202 of carousel system 12. A plurality of arcuate flanges 25 extend between ribs 15 about the carousel system 12. A divider 300 may be associated between each set of ribs 15 extending upwardly from surface 201 to provide separation between glass fixtures disposed thereon as will be discussed further hereinbelow. The height thereof may be substantially the same as the height of rim 13.

[0028] As seen in FIG. 3, a mounting board 14 may be mounted on the underside 19 of carousel system 12. Alternatively, the underside 19 of carousel system 12 may merely rest on top of board 14′.

[0029] Carousel system 12 includes a plurality of ball bearings 17 mounted in races 18 retained between the undersurface 19 of carousel system 12 by board 14′. Thus, carousel system 12 rotates on ball bearings 17 on board 14′.

[0030] As seen in FIG. 4, rim 13 and dividers 300 extend above the flanges 25 for reasons to be discussed.

[0031] As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of glass fixtures 21 (which may be the same or different) are mounted on carousel system 12 between dividers 300 on flanges 25. Rim 13 keeps the glass fixtures 21 from slipping off the carousel system 12. Such fixtures 21 are generally conically shaped and wider at bottom than at top. Thus, the wider portion rests on flanges 25 between dividers 300 and is retained in position by the fact that rim 13 and dividers 300 extend above the plane of the flanges 25.

[0032] The fixture 21 in FIG. 4 is identical to fixture 11 described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,390. That is, a single glass fixture as described therein may be mounted on carousel system 12.

[0033] If desired, as seen in FIG. 9 herein, the assembly 500 may include fixture 21 shrink wrapped by a shrink wrapping material 301 as shown in FIG. 12 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,390. Instead of a glass fixture 21, as shown in FIG. 4, or a shrink wrapped assembly 500 as seen in FIG. 9 herein, as will be discussed, the glass fixtures may be packaged as shown in FIGS. 1 to 13 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,390, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. One such package 302 is shown in FIG. 10 herein and is identical to the packaged glass shown and described in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,390.

[0034] Obviously, a plurality of such carousel systems 12 may be disposed side by side on a shelf. In that manner, a plurality of glass fixtures may be presented to the shopper.

[0035] Although a single carousel system 12 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, as seen in FIG. 6, wherein like numerals refer to like numerals of FIGS. 1 to 5, a pair of carousel systems 12 may be mounted on a shelf 10 interconnected by a column or support 30.

[0036] As seen in FIG. 7, column 30 may be a wire cage 31 having a plurality of main supporting posts 32 connected at top and bottom to a circular rim (rims 34, 35, respectively). Rims 34, 35 are also interconnected by a plurality of vertical spaced members 36 forming a cage. Posts 32, 33 may have conventional pipe nipples 37 at top and bottom which extend at bottom to board 14′ and secured thereto by suitable nuts 38. Board 14′ is secured to the bottom of lower carousel system 12 by suitable bolts 39 and nuts 40. Nipples 37 at top are secured to the upper carousel system 12 by suitable nuts 41. As can be seen, a second bearing plate system is not needed at top since the entire assembly rotates about the bearing system in the lower unit.

[0037] Referring once again to FIG. 6, it can be seen that a plurality of glass fixtures 21 are mounted on each carousel system 12 presenting a variety of glass fixtures to the customer.

[0038] Dividers 300 separate the glass fixtures and extend above the surface of flanges 25 to retain one glass fixture from the other. Rim 13 acts as a lip to retain the glass fixture 21 on each carousel system 12 as the customer rotates the same. Pricing, advertising or other suitable labeling may be attached to rim 13.

[0039] A plurality of multilevel carousel systems, as seen in FIG. 6, may be disposed side by side on shelf 10. Further, although a two-tiered system is disclosed in FIG. 6, obviously more than two may be provided, depending on the storage space available.

[0040] Although column or support 30 has been shown as an open wire cage, obviously it could be a solid cylinder, if desired. Also, although a ball bearing assembly is disclosed for rotating the carousel, any suitable rotating means may be provided.

[0041] As seen in FIG. 8, a multi-tiered glass fixture display carousel system 100 may be provided. System 100 includes a base 101 which is otherwise identical to the base shown in FIG. 3 and described above. A plurality of carousels 102 through 105 are mounted on base 101. Each carousel 102 through 105 include a rim 106, dividers 107 and flanges 108 identical to aforementioned rim 13, dividers 300 and flanges 25, respectively.

[0042] A column, such as columns 109, 110 and 111, identical to aforementioned column 30, interconnects adjacent carousels as seen in FIG. 8. Glass fixtures 112 are mounted on each carousel 102 through 105. Instead of wire columns 109 to 111, solid cylinders may be used. Also, base 101 may be placed directly on the floor, as a stand-alone unit, or fixed to a pallet. System 100 could thus be 3, 4, 5 or 6 feet high.

[0043] It can be seen that there is disclosed a carousel system having a flat surface appropriate for displaying a plurality of glass fixtures, either bare, sealed in plastic or boxed. The materials used may be plastic, steel, steel grid, perforated or louvered steel, wood, or any other suitable material, mounted to a ball bearing assembly.

[0044] The system may be made of wire grid material, louvered or perforated material, either of metal, plastic, wood or other suitable material, which greatly reduces the problem of dust collecting on the same which can soil or otherwise damage the shades and render them unable to be sold. This also reduces the amount of cleaning and maintenance required by store personnel, which is a significant problem in the industry.

[0045] The carousel system may include a lip on the outer edge of the carousel base, which will prevent the glass fixtures from falling off the carousel system when it is rotated by the customer.

[0046] The carousel system also includes dividers of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, cardboard, etc., to separate the various glass fixture that are on the carousel. These dividers may also assist in supporting the glass fixtures and preventing them from falling over when the carousel system is rotated by the customer.

[0047] The carousel system may include more than one level for displaying glass fixtures. Additional levels may be supported by any suitable support means, such as rods forming a cage, or a support cylinder separating each level. Shelves 10 may not be at a set height, depending on the spacing between shelves, the number of levels of carousels may vary.

[0048] The carousel glass fixture displaying system of the invention allows multiple glass fixtures to be clearly displayed.

[0049] The carousel glass fixture displaying system herein is designed to be used with conventional pre-existing retail type shelving generally manufactured from 18″ up to a 48″ depth.

[0050] The carousel glass fixture displaying system of the invention reduces the amount of shelf space necessary to display glass fixtures by fully utilizing the wasted overstock space traditionally found behind the first glass fixture placed on the shelf. This carousel displaying system provides the retailer with the opportunity to maximize the glass fixture selection to the customer by providing a larger selection of glass fixtures within the same amount of space.

[0051] Finally, the carousel glass fixture displaying system herein utilizes a bearings unit which provides stability and smooth operation when the carousel system is rotated by the customer.

[0052] Although there is disclosed herein a preferred embodiment of the invention, variations of the invention may occur to an artisan, and the scope of the invention should only be limited by the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A rotating lamp glass fixture display system comprising: a carousel having a main body portion having an upper surface and an underside, said carousel being adapted to hold a plurality of glass fixtures on said upper surface; and a main body portion rotating means mounted to the underside of said main body portion whereby said main body portion rotates about said rotating means.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said main body portion includes an upstanding annular peripheral rim interconnected by a plurality of spaced dividers extending from said rim to a central hub.
 3. The system of claim 2 including a plurality of spaced flanges interconnecting said dividers.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said flanges form a generally planar surface and said rim extends substantially above the planar surface of said flanges.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said dividers extend substantially above the planar surface of said flanges.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein said rotating means includes a ball bearing assembly mounted to the underside of said main body portion.
 7. The system of claim 1 including a second main body portion mounted above said first mentioned main body portion and rotatable therewith.
 8. The system of claim 1 including a plurality of main body portions mounted above said first mentioned main body portion and rotatable therewith.
 9. The system of claim 7 including a support interconnecting generally the mid-portions of each of said main body portions.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said support is an open wire frame.
 11. The system of claim 1 including a plurality of carousels mounted on said system, the lowermost one of said carousels being mounted to said rotating means and each of said carousels spaced from the other by interconnecting supports.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said main body portion includes an upstanding annular peripheral rim interconnected by a plurality of spaced dividers extending from said rim to a central hub.
 13. The system of claim 12 including a plurality of spaced flanges interconnecting said dividers.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein said flanges form a generally planar surface and said dividers extend substantially above the planar surface of said flanges.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said dividers extend substantially above the planar surface of said flanges.
 16. The system of claim 11 wherein said rotating means includes a ball bearing assembly mounted to the underside of said main body portion.
 17. The system of claim 11 wherein each of said plurality of carousels other than the carousel mounted to said rotating means includes a second main body portion mounted above said first mentioned main body portion and rotatable therewith.
 18. The system of claim 11 wherein each of said supports are an open wire frame.
 19. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of glass shades are disposed on said carousel main body portion, each one of said glass shades being separated from another by one of said dividers.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein each of said glass shades are wrapped in shrink wrap plastic.
 21. The system of claim 19 wherein each of said glass shades is mounted in a box.
 22. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said glass shades is bell-like in configuration having a wider portion at bottom and a narrow portion at top forming a neck, said wider portion resting on top of said main body portions, each respective glass fixture being separated from another by said dividers.
 23. The system of claim 22 wherein said glass fixtures are shrink-wrapped in plastic.
 24. The system of claim 22 wherein each of said glass fixtures are mounted in a box, said box being generally square and encircling the wider portion of said glass fixtures.
 25. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said glass shades includes at least a pair of said glass shades separated by one of said dividers by another pair of said glass shades, each pair comprising one of said glass shades stacked on top of another and being bell-like in configuration having a wider portion at bottom and a narrow portion at top forming a neck said neck tapering downwardly to said wider portion, said wider portion being encased in a box, said box resting on top of said main body portions. 